11/8/2014
Contact: Angela Gates
202-366-3669

OAKLAND, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the award of $81 million in federal grant funds for the East Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, which will provide faster, more reliable bus service along one of the Bay Area’s most densely populated and transit-dependent corridors. FTA Acting Administrator Therese McMillan participated in a ceremony to commit the funds with U.S. Representative Barbara Lee, representatives from the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) and other local officials.

“Communities around the country are looking for smart, creative transportation solutions like the East Bay Bus Rapid Transit line to better manage traffic congestion and offer residents a reliable, convenient transit option for getting to work, school and other opportunities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We’re calling on Congress to support our GROW AMERICA Act to provide long-term funding for more projects like this one to strengthen our nation’s transportation infrastructure.”

The 9.5-mile BRT line will provide fast, frequent bus service between downtown Oakland and the San Leandro Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) station, operating primarily along International Boulevard, one of the East Bay’s most diverse corridors. In addition to greatly enhancing transit service, the BRT line is expected to attract new transit oriented development and help revitalize neighborhoods along the corridor.

“The Federal Transit Administration is proud to partner with AC Transit to bring bus rapid transit service to the East Bay Area, improving access to jobs in downtown Oakland and making it easier for riders to connect to BART and other transportation services,” said FTA Acting Administrator McMillan. “This new BRT line will make a huge difference for thousands of commuters who need and deserve reliable transit service.”

AC Transit estimates the new BRT line will provide approximately 27,000 weekday trips when the line opens in 2017. The project will include 7.4 miles of dedicated bus lanes – about 78 percent of the route – to speed service, as well as 34 new bus stations with real-time arrival information, level boarding platforms and ticket vending machines.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is contributing approximately $81 million toward the $174 million total cost of the East Bay BRT project, including $50 million from FTA’s Capital Investment Grant Program, $25 million in FTA Bus and Bus Facilities funds, and $6 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds. The remaining cost will be covered by state and local funding sources.

Under the Administration’s GROW AMERICA Act, California transit agencies would receive nearly $2.0 billion in federal formula transportation funds in FY 2015. The funding level included in the reauthorization proposal and President’s FY 2015 budget represents a $700 million increase over the amount provided in FY 2014. The 57 percent increase would help the Bay Area, and the state as a whole, carry out much needed capital transit improvements and enhancements.